AP Exclusive: DC funded 300 abortions in 2 years

Data from the city's Department of Health Care Finance shows it took more than a year for the city to begin paying for abortions once Congress lifted its ban in December 2009. The first abortion paid for by the city was provided in August 2010, the last four on April 13, 2011, the day before lawmakers voted to reinstate the ban. The majority of the procedures cost about $500 or $700.

Congress' control over Washington's affairs and budget puts it in a unique position on city abortion funding. Like all states, Washington has been prohibited by Congress since the 1970s from using federal money to pay for abortions for women on Medicaid except in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother. But states can use their own tax dollars to pay for the procedures for women on Medicaid if they wish. Currently, 17 states use their own money to pay for abortions for women on Medicaid, though all but four do so under court order.

Since 1988, members of Congress have attached a so-called "rider" to the city's budget nearly every year banning the city from using its tax dollars to fund abortions, in opposition to city lawmakers' wishes. The ban was lifted briefly in 1993-1994.

Lawmakers lifted the ban again in late 2009 when Democrats controlled both houses of Congress. But the change was short-lived. With a new Republican majority in the House in 2011, Congress re-imposed the ban in April.

Responding to the AP's report Thursday night, the National Right to Life Committee said in a statement that the ban's repeal had been forced through Congress and blamed President Barack Obama for the abortions. The group said "renewed clashes" over the issue could be expected in the months ahead.